• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제38권5호
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• pp.398-406
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• 2012

Objectives: In order to investigate the relation between environmental pollution and its effect on human health in large-scale industrial complex regions, monitoring studies have been conducted since 2003. The main purpose of this Gangneung study is to produce background data which can be compared with several large-scale industrial complex regions such as Ulsan, Sihwa, Banwol, Gwangyang, Yeosu, Pohang and Cheongju Daesan industrial complexes. Methods: In this Gangneung study, 1,007 local residents were recruited and the framework of this study was designed to evaluate and monitor health effects associated with low-level but long-term exposure to environmental pollutants. A survey was performed based on personal questionnaires, medical check-ups, and allergy skin prick tests for twelve common allergens. The authors reviewed the prevalence rate of skin allergens in Gangneung compared with in large-scale industrial areas. The results are summarized as follows. Results: The diagnosis prevalence and medical treatment prevalence of asthma were lower than in industrial complex regions, but allergic rhinitis was higher. The allergy skin test prevalence was 26.0% and the most common allergens were dust mites (D. pteronysinus 16.7% and D. farinae 16.3%). Conclusions: The positive findings of the skin prick test were similar with large-scale industrial complex regions in Korea. Further study is required to find the cause of the regional differences in skin prick prevalence.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제40권5호
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• pp.367-375
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• 2014

Objectives: The main purpose of this study is to produce background data which can be compared with several large-scale industrial complex regions. Methods: The framework of this study was designed to evaluate and monitor health effects associated with low-level and long-term exposure to environmental pollutants. In this study, 1,009 local residents were recruited in the city of Chungju using personal questionnaires, medical check-ups, and allergen skin-prick tests for 12 common allergens. The prevalence rate of skin allergens was reviewed together with that from large-scale industrial areas. Results: The diagnosis prevalence and medical treatment prevalence of asthma was 5.6% and 1.7%, respectively. Allergic rhinitis was 25.4% and 16.7%, allergic dermatitis was 16.6% and 9.9% and allergic conjunctivitis was 18.7% and 7.9%, respectively. These results were similar with those of industrial complexes. The prevalence of allergen skin-prick test was 16.4% and the most common allergen was dust mites (27.9-31.6%). This result was lower than those of the industrial complexes (22.5-39.9%) and Gangneung (18.2-24.7%). Conclusion: Further study is required to find the cause of the regional differences in skin prick prevalence.

• 한국안광학회지
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.159-164
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• 2006

본 연구는 광양에 사는 1352명을 대상으로 알레르기성 결막염 유병률과 이와 연관된 알레르기 항원의 감작률 및 항원의 종류를 알아보았다. 본 연구 대상자 중 40.2%가 알레르기성 결막염을 호소하였고 이들 중 알레르기 결막염으로 최종 진단을 받은 피검자는 15.8%이었다. 피부단자 반응 검사결과에서는 전체 대상자 중 여러 가지 항원 중 하나라도 양성을 보이는 대상자들은 20.2%였으며 알레르기성 결막염을 가지고 있으면서 피부단자반응에 양성을 보인 대상자들은 21.3%(n=103)이었다. 알레르기 증상을 보이는 대상자들의 각 알레르겐에 따른 양성반응에서는 집먼지 진드기와 같은 실내 항원이 주요 알레르겐으로 나타났다.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.119-124
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• 1999

Food allergies play an important role in Atopic Dermatitis (AD). Dietary manipulation is essential in the management of AD. However, there has been a paucity of data reporting the prevalence of food allergies in AD patients in Korea. In this study, the Food Open Challenge Tests (FOCT) were conducted to investigate food allergies in AD patients. The skin-prick test and the detection of specific IgE, as well as allergy history of patient were used to detect food allergies in all AD patients. Elimination diet was conducted for two weeks prior to FOCTs. The prevalence of food allergies by FOCT is as follows: milk (67.3%); chicken (64.2%); pork (62.8%); eggs (61.0%); beef(55.4%) ; wheat (52.0%) and soybean (45.2%). Allergenic food items in Korean AD patients were different from people in other foreign countries. The seven major foods those tested positively by FOCTs were completely eliminated from the replaced diets for two weeks, and were subsequently reintroduced one at a time. Results from FOCTs were not comparable with allergy history or skin-prick tests or specific IgE detection. The sensitivity and specificity of skin-prick tests and specific IgE detection were lower than FOCTs. Allergy history, skin-prick tests, and specific IgE detection are useful for the identification of food allergen but its clinical significance differed according to food items. Therefore, we conclude that even though a 10-day delay was necessary after food challenge, FOCT is a useful and valid method to confirm food allergies and may be essential for the effective control of food allergies for treatment of AD.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.148-157
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• 2015

이 연구는 일개 시 지역에서 환경오염의 가능성이 높은 도심 주민과 특별한 산업 시설이 없는 농촌 주민을 대상으로 설문조사와 피부단자검사를 시행하여, 알레르기비염의 유병률을 파악하고, 각각의 다른 환경이 두 지역 주민의 알레르기비염에 어떤 영향을 미칠 수 있는지를 조사하였다. 정확한 유병률을 구하기 위해서 병원에 방문한 환자가 아닌 일반 지역 주민을 대상으로 하였고, 증상만을 평가하는 설문조사로는 과대평가될 수 있으므로 객관적인 피부단자검사를 병행하였으며, 연령에 따라 알레르기 원인 물질에 대한 감수성이 다르게 나타나고 노출된 기간과 질병 이환율을 고려하기 위해서 연령군을 어린이, 청소년, 성인군으로 나누어 고려하였다. 본 연구에서는 일반적으로 확진된 알레르기비염의 유병률이 도심에서 8.4%, 농촌에서는 6.9%로 차이를 보이지 않았다(8.4% vs. 6.9%). 하지만, 연령에 따라서 어린이, 청소년, 성인군으로 나누어 비교한 결과, 어린이와 청소년에서는 도심과 농촌 간에 유의한 차이가 없음을 보였지만, 성인에서는 도심 지역에서 최근 1년 동안의 알레르기비염의 증상 유병률(30.5% vs. 22.4%)과 확진된 알레르기비염의 유병률(8.2% vs. 3.7%)이 농촌지역보다 유의하게 높은 결과를 보여서 산업화, 도시화로 인한 환경 유해물질이 알레르기비염 유병률에 영향을 줄 것으로 생각이 된다.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.14-24
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• 2014

식품 알레르기에 대한 유병률과 알레르기를 일으키는 식품의 종류를 알아내기 위해, 설문지 조사와 피부단자시험을 실시하였고, 또한 최근 국내외 식품 알레르기에 대한 자료 고찰을 하였다. 본 연구결과 설문지에 의한 성별 식품 알레르기 증상 유병률은 남자에서는 25.6%, 여자는 25.8%로 남녀 간에 별 차이가 없었으며, 연령별로는 남자는 40-49세가 31.8%, 여자에서는 30-39세가 32.6%로 가장 높았다. 성별과 식품 항목에 의한 식품 알레르기의 유병률은 남자는 고등어가 6.6%로 가장 높았고, 여자는 복숭아가 7.4%로 가장 높았다. 성별에 의한 식품 알레르기 증상 유병자 중 피부단자시험 양성률을 보면 남자에서 21.4%의 양성률을, 여자에 있어서는 14.7%의 양성률을 나타내 남녀간의 유의한 차이(p=0.018)가 있었다. 식품 항목별 양성률을 보면 남자에서는 호프가 58.9%로 가장 높았고, 여자에서는 계란이 36.4%로 가장 높은 양성률을 나타냈으며, 돼지고기, 새우 가재, 호프, 그리고 토마토에서 통계적으로 남녀 간 유의한 차이가 있었다(p<0.05). 피부단자시험을 통하여 우리나라 식품 알레르기 증상 추정 유병률은 남자 5.0%, 여자 3.6%였으며, 알레르기를 일으키는 흔한 식품으로는 호프, 고등어, 새우, 가재, 게, 돼지고기, 우유, 계란 등이 포함된다고 생각한다. 최근 국내외 식품 알레르기에 관한 자료 분석에서 식품 알레르기 유병률은 1-35% 범위로 나타났으며, 알레르기를 일으키는 주요 식품은 우유, 계란, 견과류, 생선, 조개, 갑각류 그리고 과일 채소 등으로 확인 하였다. 따라서 본 연구는 지역사회 전 연령층을 대상으로 그리고 최근 국내외 식품 알레르기에 관한 자료를 분석한 첫 시도로써 향후 우리나라 식품 알레르기 질환을 예방하고 치료하는데 근거자료의 토대가 될 것이다. 또한 식품 알레르기 교육프로그램을 계획할 때는 식품 알레르기의 유병률과 알레르겐을 포함한 대처방안이 필요하다고 본다.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제26권
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• pp.11.1-11.6
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• 2011

Objects: The prevalence of asthma has increased in recent decades globally. The objective of the present study is to elucidate whether hospitalization for bronchiolitis in infancy and low socioeconomic status interact for bronchial hyperreactivity during teenage years. Method: We studied 522 children age 13-14 years attending schools in rural and urban areas to investigate the risk factors for bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR), defined as a provocation concentration of methacholine that causes a decrease of 20% ($PC_{20}$) in forced expiratory volume within 1 second. Clinical examination, skin prick test, spirometry, and methacholine challenge were performed on all study subjects, who provided written consent. We used multivariate logistic regression to investigate the risk factors for BHR, and analyze the interaction between hospitalization for bronchiolitis in infancy and low socioeconomic status. Results: Forty-six (10.3%) positive BHR cases were identified. In the multivariate logistic analysis, as independent predictors of BHR, adjusted odds ratio of bronchiolitis diagnosed before 2 years of age in low income families was 13.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 135.0), compared to reference group, controlling for age, gender, parental allergy history, skin prick test, and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure. Interaction was observed between bronchiolitis before 2 years old and low socioeconomic status on children's bronchial hyperreactivity (p-interaction=0.025). Conclusions: This study showed that bronchiolitis diagnosed before 2 years of age and low socioeconomic status interacted on children's bronchial hyperreactivity. Prevention of acute respiratory infection in early childhood in low socioeconomic status is important to prevent BHR as a precursor of asthma.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.383-390
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• 2013

Objectives: We evaluated the effects of an allergy control program on children with atopic dermatitis (AD) in five schools located within Gyeonggi-do. Methods: Based on the results of the 12-month prevalence of AD symptoms from an International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire of all students (n=2109; 1040 boys, 1069 girls) at five randomly selected schools, 227 students with AD symptoms were screened. Finally, 188 students with greater than 1 on SCORAD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) determined by a physician were selected. The allergy control program includes education related to allergic diseases, skin prick tests, and SCORAD evaluation, as well as keeping a daily journal to check the usage of moisturizer at least once a day. To determine the effectiveness of the allergy control program, SCORAD evaluation was performed again six weeks later. Results: The most common symptom for 12-month prevalence was rhinorrhea (33.9%), followed by atopic skin lesions (14.8%) and wheezing (4.0%). The 12-month prevalences of the three allergic diseases were higher for boys than for girls, and a significant difference was found for allergic rhinitis (P<0.001). The mean SCORAD index decreased significantly from 26.1 to 17.5 after the completion of the six-week control program (P<0.01). In particular, these differences were more pronounced for the group which used the daily journal (P<0.001). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the allergy control program including usage of a daily journal as well as regular monitoring could be a promising tool for preventing and alleviating the symptoms of allergic diseases.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.113-121
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• 2011

Food allergies affect 7~8% of infants and young children, and their prevalence appears to have increased in recent years. Food allergy refers to an abnormal immunological reaction to a specific food. These reactions can be recurrent each time the food is ingested. Food allergy manifests itself with a wide spectrum of clinical characteristics including IgE-mediated diseases as immediate reactions, non-IgE-mediated disorders as delayed reactions, and mixed hypersensitivities. As a consequence, the clinical picture of a food allergy is pleomorphic. A well-designed oral food challenge is the most reliable diagnostic test for infants and young children whose clinical history and physical examination point towards a specific food allergy. Food specific IgE antibody tests (RAST, MAST, skin prick test, Uni-CAP, etc) are an alternative tool to determine oral food challenge for IgE-mediated disorders, but not for non-IgE-mediated allergies. Moreover, parents often impose their children on unnecessary diets without adequate medical supervision. These inappropriate dietary restrictions may cause nutritional deficiencies. This review aims to introduce clinical perspectives of food allergy in infants and young children and to orient clinicians towards different strains of diagnostic approaches, dietary management, and follow-up assessment of tolerance development.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.338-344
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• 1990

This study investigated the symptoms, medical and occupational history of 424 workers of 5 reactive dye Industries in the Inchon area in Korea. The study was performed on March 6 and July 19, 1989. The tests applied to the subjects were : serum total IgE, specific IgE, skin prick test with 7 inhalatory antigens, pulmonary function test, chest X-ray, methacholine test, and bronchoprovocation test. The workers were classified according to these tests into 4 groups (healthy, realtively healthy, need careful medical observation, and occupational asthma), and were compared in terms of the group characteristics and the symptom prevalence. The prevalece of occupational asthma of workers in reactive dye was 5.9% Significant differences were observed among the 4 groups. The groups were significantly different in the variables of sex and duration of smoking among their general characteristics ; and dyspnea, wheezing, chest pain, cough, nasal symptoms and sore throat among symptoms ; asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory diseases with respect to their past medical history. This study suggests that we should pay special attention to the workers exposed to the risk of occupational asthma.